We All Love Sports, Let's Talk

Sunday’s Are For The Boys: Washington

The Cowboys are on the road for a pivotal game in the NFC East as they battle the Washington Redskins for first place in the division. Dallas is looking to build off the momentum from their 40-7 rout of the Jaguars at home, but this game is on the road where the Cowboys are 0-3 on the year. Washington is surprisingly 3-2 on the year and coming off a 23-17 win vs Carolina.

On the road the Cowboys have averaged 12.3 points a game as opposed to 28.7 at home and are -3 in turnover differential on the road an +3 at AT&T Stadium. Ezekiel Elliott was right in saying that if this team doesn’t start winning on the road, they won’t make the playoffs. Before this season the Cowboys were 12-4 in the Dak Prescott era on the road, so this has been uncharacteristic. It’s time for Dallas’ game to travel, as well as the teams aggressiveness.

Dallas is pretty healthy especially on the defensive side of the ball. David Irving came back last week and made an instant impact. Demarcus Lawerence is dealing with a shoulder injury, but it would be shocking if he wasn’t on the field tomorrow. Sean Lee will make his return to a suddenly loaded linebacker group with rising star Jaylon Smith and rookie Leighton Vander Esch who stepped up big in Lee’s absence. Offensively Tavon Austin will unfortunately miss some time with a groin injury. His explosiveness will be missed by this offense, but it’s not devastating. Terrence Williams has also been suspended 3 games for his DUI arrest, but he was inactive last week and has made a very minimal impact this year. Washington will be without two key receivers in Jamison Crowder and Paul Richardson, but hope to have RB Chris Thompson back.

This is a game that sets up to be a defensive battle. The Redskins rank 2nd in total defense, and Dallas ranks 2nd in scoring defense. The two receivers out will really hurt Washington, therefore Alex Smith will be unable to stretch the ball down the field consistently and the defensive line of Dallas will control the line of scrimmage against a banged up offensive line. Elliott and Prescott will do just enough offensively to break the road losing streak.